<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>Laney Renee – Pop Press International</title> <atom:link href="https://www.poppressinternational.com/author/laney/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://www.poppressinternational.com</link> <description>Music Blog, Music News, Tracks, Reviews, Live Music, Photos & More</description> <lastBuildDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2014 18:41:01 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2</generator> <item> <title>Walter TV’s Mohawk Pizza Party: Live Review</title> <link>https://www.poppressinternational.com/2014/10/14/walter-tvs-mohawk-pizza-party-live-review/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laney Renee]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2014 18:35:58 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[BLOG]]></category> <category><![CDATA[FEATURES]]></category> <category><![CDATA[LIVE MUSIC]]></category> <category><![CDATA[#mohawk]]></category> <category><![CDATA[garage rock]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Live Music]]></category> <category><![CDATA[live review]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mac DeMarco]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Walter TV]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.poppressinternational.com/?p=18207</guid> <description><![CDATA[Walter TV has been coined “Mac Demarco’s touring band,” “Mac Demarco’s friend’s band,” and “Mac Demarco’s side project.” These pseudonyms aren’t a far cry from the truth, but only if you’re comparing the...]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_18208" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 150px"><a href="http://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-4.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-18208 size-thumbnail" src="http://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-4-150x150.jpg" alt="Photo by Laney Feeser" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-4-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-4-120x120.jpg 120w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-4-50x50.jpg 50w" sizes="(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></a></p> <p class="wp-caption-text">Photo by Laney Renee</p> </div> <p>Walter TV has been coined “Mac Demarco’s touring band,” “Mac Demarco’s friend’s band,” and “Mac Demarco’s side project.” These pseudonyms aren’t a far cry from the truth, but only if you’re comparing the bandmates themselves. In fact, the original Walter TV crew formed sans DeMarco in 2010 comprised of Pierce McGarry (lead vocals and guitar), Joe McMurray (drums), and Simon Ankenman (bass), which predates the Viceroy love ballads. In Montreal circa 2011, Pierce and Joe moved in with Mac and the band recorded their debut album, <i>APPETITE</i>. Early this summer, Walter TV signed with Sinderlyn Records to re-release the album on vinyl. I was able to correspond with the band, and they touch on their experience with this new record label in an interview you can read <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="Interview: Meet the Members of Walter TV, Mac DeMarco’s Backing Band" href="http://www.poppressinternational.com/2014/10/10/interview-meet-the-members-of-walter-tv-mac-demarcos-backing-band/">here</a></span>.</p> <div id="attachment_18210" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 150px"><a href="http://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-2.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-18210 size-thumbnail" src="http://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-2-150x150.jpg" alt="Photo by Laney Feeser" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-2-120x120.jpg 120w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-2-50x50.jpg 50w" sizes="(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></a></p> <p class="wp-caption-text">Photo by Laney Renee</p> </div> <p>These days, Mac performs part-time with the band. On October 11, The Mohawk showcased the combined efforts of the entire gang. The original three amigos took to the stage of a sold-out audience, while Mac showed off his diversified skill set as fog machine technician. The set list ran shy on time only lasting 5 songs, but the man-child shenanigans managed to run rampant. The talent of Walter TV doesn’t just lie in the creative renderings of layered musical experimentation–the stage presence is something worth experiencing.</p> <div id="attachment_18213" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 150px"><a href="http://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-3.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-18213 size-thumbnail" src="http://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-3-150x150.jpg" alt="Photo by Laney Feeser" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-3-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-3-120x120.jpg 120w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-3-50x50.jpg 50w" sizes="(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></a></p> <p class="wp-caption-text">Photo by Laney Renee</p> </div> <p>I can throw a vinyl on my Technics, while sprawled in my underwear gorging on bourbon and potato chips and gage a band’s sound both effectively and comfortably. What I can’t experience in my living room is the reason I go to live shows. The immaturity of these boys is contagious, and I mean that in the most complimentary way imaginable. At the ripe old age of 28, I’m thrown into the category of, dare I say, “young professional.” The disdain I hold for this term is equilateral to “stay-cation” or “day drinking.” In years more recent, when I attend an all-ages show, I’m well outside the standard deviation of the average age of attendees (and even performers). I’ve certainly loathed some shows based on these statistics, but not with these boys. They bring out the best in everyone. The generational gap is blurred as you cackle over fart and penis jokes, share a Domino’s pizza slice with your audience neighbor as it’s tossed from the stage, and if you’re lucky, glimpse a full frontal view of Mac himself.</p> <div id="attachment_18212" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 150px"><a href="http://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-4.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-18212 size-thumbnail" src="http://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-4-150x150.jpg" alt="Photo by Laney Feeser" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-4-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-4-120x120.jpg 120w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-4-50x50.jpg 50w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></a></p> <p class="wp-caption-text">Photo by Laney Renee</p> </div> <p>This was my first time seeing Walter TV, but it was my fifth time watching these chuckleheads perform regardless of the band name. With each show, I’ve come away with a hilariously immature adventure to tell my friends the next day. Every story is variable, but the controls that never waver are as followed: late night (or early morning), new friends (debatable if the friendship endures past the evening), and a wicked hangover (both the emotional and alcohol induced), and this time around was no different. Often regretful, but never boring is this trifecta of YOLO decisions that ironically make up the spice of life. I’ve relinquished a tangent on you that perhaps delineates farther from a musical description than I anticipated, but it’s what keeps this band buzz worthy and rightfully so.</p> <div id="attachment_18216" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 150px"><a href="http://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Hola_Beach-1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-18216 size-thumbnail" src="http://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Hola_Beach-1-150x150.jpg" alt="Photo by Laney Feeser" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Hola_Beach-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Hola_Beach-1-120x120.jpg 120w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Hola_Beach-1-50x50.jpg 50w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></a></p> <p class="wp-caption-text">Photo by Laney Renee</p> </div> <p>With all being said, lest we forget the wise adage of Lavar Burton: “You don’t have to take my word for it.” Watch Walter TV’s music video for Puka Shell Necklace (created and directed by band member, Peirce McGarry) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXXSQNSuQM4" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">here</span></a>. While you’re at it, follow the <a href="http://www.instagram.com/waltertv" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Instagram accounts</span></a> of <a href="http://www.instagram.com/macdemarco" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">these clowns</span></a> to gage for yourself the brilliant antics that are intertwined to a degree that never overshadows and only compliments the talent of the music.</p> <p>All photographs © Laney Renee & Pop Press International; all rights reserved. Click any image to open set in slideshow viewer.</p> <p><a href='https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-4.jpg'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-4-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" srcset="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-4-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-4-120x120.jpg 120w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-4-50x50.jpg 50w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></a><br /> <a href='https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-3.jpg'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-3-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" srcset="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-3-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-3-120x120.jpg 120w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-3-50x50.jpg 50w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></a><br /> <a href='https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-2.jpg'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-2-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" srcset="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-2-120x120.jpg 120w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-2-50x50.jpg 50w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></a><br /> <a href='https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-1.jpg'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-1-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" srcset="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-1-120x120.jpg 120w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-1-50x50.jpg 50w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></a><br /> <a href='https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-4.jpg'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-4-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" srcset="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-4-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-4-120x120.jpg 120w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-4-50x50.jpg 50w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></a><br /> <a href='https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-3.jpg'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-3-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" srcset="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-3-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-3-120x120.jpg 120w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-3-50x50.jpg 50w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></a><br /> <a href='https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-2.jpg'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-2-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" srcset="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-2-120x120.jpg 120w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-2-50x50.jpg 50w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></a><br /> <a href='https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-1.jpg'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-1-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" srcset="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-1-120x120.jpg 120w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TONSTARTSSBANDHT-1-50x50.jpg 50w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></a><br /> <a href='https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Hola_Beach-1.jpg'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Hola_Beach-1-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" srcset="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Hola_Beach-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Hola_Beach-1-120x120.jpg 120w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Hola_Beach-1-50x50.jpg 50w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></a></p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Interview: Meet the Members of Walter TV, Mac DeMarco’s Backing Band</title> <link>https://www.poppressinternational.com/2014/10/10/interview-meet-the-members-of-walter-tv-mac-demarcos-backing-band/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laney Renee]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 10 Oct 2014 19:54:25 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[BLOG]]></category> <category><![CDATA[FEATURES]]></category> <category><![CDATA[INTERVIEWS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[#interview]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mac DeMarco]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Upcoming]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Walter TV]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.poppressinternational.com/?p=18156</guid> <description><![CDATA[On Sunday night Walter TV, the band that operates as Mac DeMarco’s band will play a show at Austin venue Mohawk. Prior to the show, Pop Press INTL. contributor Laney Feeser was able to...]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-18157" src="http://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-150x150.jpg" alt="Walter_TV" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-120x120.jpg 120w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Walter_TV-50x50.jpg 50w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></a>On Sunday night Walter TV, the band that operates as Mac DeMarco’s band will play a show at Austin venue Mohawk. Prior to the show, Pop Press INTL. contributor Laney Feeser was able to correspond with the members of the band to ask them a few questions. That Q&A is below. Get your tickets for their show <a href="http://mohawk.queueapp.com/events/3824" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">right here</span></a>.</p> <p><strong>1) You obviously have a close relationship with Captured Tracks, having playing with Mac Demarco. You’re now working with Sinderlyn, which is a subsidiary. What can you tell us about these folks and what can we expect from them?</strong></p> <p>We’ve known the Captured Tracks people for a while and they’ve always been really good to us. Putting us up in their houses and looking after us when we were nobodies, etc. They also have a really clear commitment to quality music and art. We’re definitely excited to be working with them and to be part of the new venture which is Sinderlyn.</p> <p><strong>2) How has it been living and playing in the U.S.? Do you recognize a difference in the music scene between here and Canada?</strong></p> <p>Living in the states has always been fascinating for us, especially as Canadians. It has a crazy anything goes kind of feel. The states are huge and diverse, so the differences even within its own borders are striking. As far as the differences between here and Canada, I’d say the obvious ones are exactly that, and the more subtle and nuanced ones are difficult to describe. You kinda just have to experience it from one side or the other. A lot of the states are cool to play, too.</p> <p><strong>3) Instrumental experimentation and sound layering account for the distinct sound of Walter TV. When you are writing a song, how much of the finished product is improvised versus structured and preconceived? </strong></p> <p>Songwriting for us usually depends largely on external factors, like how and where we are living and who we are around. A lot of our older stuff was the result of getting together and just riffing on different ideas until we found stuff we liked. Another approach is that Pierce will come up with a really nice or interesting guitar vocal thing that he has other people play with and get inspired by. Other times, songs will develop as a kind of adjunct to immediate home recording and experimental and/or work around techniques to do with that. Whatever the case it’s always pretty open and fun.</p> <p><strong>4) What’s in store for Walter TV in 2015?</strong></p> <p>We have two albums worth of finished and near finished material. We hope to get as much of that out as possible, as soon as we can, and to continue writing and recording new material.</p> <p><strong>5) And now perhaps the most important question for each of you: what is your favorite Simpson’s episode?</strong></p> <p>Monorail all around.</p> <p> </p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Album Review: Terry Malts — Insides EP</title> <link>https://www.poppressinternational.com/2014/09/25/album-review-terry-malts-insides-ep/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laney Renee]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 25 Sep 2014 12:39:48 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[BLOG]]></category> <category><![CDATA[REVIEWS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Insides]]></category> <category><![CDATA[poppunk]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Punk]]></category> <category><![CDATA[TerryMalts]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.poppressinternational.com/?p=17484</guid> <description><![CDATA[Garage-punk trio, Terry Malts releases new material this week via Slumberland Records with a 7” entitled Insides EP. The story of Terry Malts’ formation isn’t one that you’ll hear from the direct source, rather the...]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/insidesep-e1411605622274.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-17487" src="http://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/insidesep-150x150.jpg" alt="insidesep" width="150" height="150" /></a>Garage-punk trio, Terry Malts releases new material this week via Slumberland Records with a 7” entitled <em>Insides </em>EP. The story of Terry Malts’ formation isn’t one that you’ll hear from the direct source, rather the Frisco-based band has deliberately kept their association with their previous project, Magic Bullets, tight lipped. With their debut release <em>Killing Time</em> in 2010, Terry Malts immediately adopted an alternative approach to pop-punk tunes that detached themselves from the cleaner, quieter, surfer sounds of Magic Bullets. Perhaps not wanting to pigeon-hole themselves with the sounds of their past, Terry Malts have done a swell job busting into the power-punk scene.</p> <p>At just eight minutes short, <em>Insides EP</em> lays the blueprint of a solid punk album. Granted, the EP consists of just four songs, but three tracks in, heavyweight “Don’t” is the beefiest of the jams, taking up more than a third of the record. Bigger proves better for <em>Insides</em> as “Don’t” is the winning track from the compilation. If you were to depict Terry Malts sound using a Venn diagram, the majority of their songs fall into the intersection of punk meets pop. Opening track, “Let You In” serves as the case and point for this claim, but Terry Malts goest ahead and evidences it further with “Grumpiest Old Men,” and “Hidden Bay.” The rhyming and unmistakably clear lyrics of “Let You In” express the twitterpated feelings that accompany the crush of a pretty lady and unrequited love, which let’s face it—everyone can relate to. “Don’t” shreds hard from start to finish and strays a wee bit further from its more pop-influenced brethren. The track elicits a rawness that will have you moshing in your own living room.</p> <p>Every album since Terry Malts’ formation resides somewhere in the hierarchy of punk. Each song is blanketed in fuzzy guitar riffs with a purposeful sound of chaotic noise. However, they tend to keep one foot planted safely in the indie-pop genre, which certainly helps to create broader appeal. <em>Insides</em> expands on the band’s previous sounds, encroaching on pop more so than they have to date. Perhaps after diverging from the associations of their past, Terry Malts has reached a point, after three albums and numerous EPs, where they felt the need to revisit a familiar genre, and the style is well rendered in their hands.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Album Review: Ty Segall – Manipulator</title> <link>https://www.poppressinternational.com/2014/09/17/album-review-ty-segall-manipulator/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laney Renee]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 17 Sep 2014 07:21:40 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[REVIEWS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Drag City]]></category> <category><![CDATA[glam rock]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Manipulator]]></category> <category><![CDATA[psych rock]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ty Segall]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.poppressinternational.com/?p=17118</guid> <description><![CDATA[At summer’s unofficial close, Drag City cranked out yet another Ty Segall album, Manipulator. Since 2008, Segall has stayed monumentally busy, pushing out at least one album per year. And what’s even more...]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/ty_segall_manipulator.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-17119" src="http://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/ty_segall_manipulator-150x150.jpg" alt="ty_segall_manipulator" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/ty_segall_manipulator-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/ty_segall_manipulator-120x120.jpg 120w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/ty_segall_manipulator-50x50.jpg 50w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/ty_segall_manipulator.jpg 259w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></a>At summer’s unofficial close, Drag City cranked out yet another Ty Segall album, <em>Manipulator. </em>Since 2008, Segall has stayed monumentally busy, pushing out at least one album per year. And what’s even more impressive is that each album is a distinguishing example that Segall knows how to deliver rock and roll from more than one perspective. <em>Manipulator</em> is an aesthetic reinvention of consistent musical talent from Segall.</p> <p>By today’s standards, glam rock has become a lost term that has been worn thin by the likes of bedazzled super star pop singers whom gain more popularity with costume shock factor than musical talent. Society is jaded by androgyny as the vast population of cool kids tend to land dead center on the Kinsey Scale. Flamboyant behavior is a culturally relevant term that is continually being redefined, and the music scene often finds itself at the fore of the conversation. Ty Segall’s latest masterpiece, <em>Manipulator,</em> mimics glam rock back to its roots alongside the obvious choices such as T. Rex and David Bowie. The entire span of the 17 track album reeks of <em>Raw Power </em>influence with face melting guitar riffs that Segull doesn’t shy away from in its entirety.</p> <p>However, Segall’s love affair with the creative influences of the glam rock era are largely heard rather than seen. The intro to “The Hand” is reminiscent of the same acoustic-meets-electric styling as Bowie’s “Moonage Daydream.” Tactful as he is talented, Segall doesn’t try to overshadow his talent with spandex body suits or massive amounts of blow, but rather pays homage to the glam forefathers from time to time in the form of silver lipstick and a hint of face paint scattered under his eyes for a perfect aesthetic detail.</p> <p>The track name alone, “Tall Man Skinny Lady”elicits a sexual innuendo that’s reminiscent of his old friends from who dabbled so often with the idea of homosexual escapades within their songs (Walk on the Wild Side immediately comes to mind). But like all solo male artists, Segall can’t help but croon over some lady problems and “Susie Thumb” sums that all up. “Susie wants to be on all the TVs/ Sitting in the screen, she waits for you and me.”</p> <p>Bottling <em>Manipulator</em> into a single genre wouldn’t be fair. “The Clock”and<em> “</em>The Singer”channel Lou Reed in the same way that “Susie Thumb” and “The Crawler” mimic Mott The Hoople. But it really doesn’t matter which direction Segall leans because he shreds to the likes of each rock subgenre. With a staggering 17 track play list, Segall has plenty of room to embed a concoction of rock angles while still maintaining a cohesive and deliberate album. This album works overtime to produce some gut-busting anthems that showcase Segall’s ability to ooze rock ‘n’ roll. It comes as no surprise that Segall dedicated considerably more time to this album than any of his others. Not only is the play list twice as long, but there’s a coherent and articulate pace that other albums have lacked.</p> <p>Segall has never strayed from his rocker ways but rather develops them from album to album. <em>Manipulator </em>is perhaps the best example as it’s the first album to stray away from the garage rock reverb almost completely. He’s slowed his pace and defined his sound from organized chaos heard on <em>Melted</em> and the fuzzy distorted vocals on his debut and self-titled album release.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Album Review: Melted Toys – Melted Toys</title> <link>https://www.poppressinternational.com/2014/07/23/album-review-melted-toys-melted-toys/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laney Renee]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 23 Jul 2014 17:06:00 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[BLOG]]></category> <category><![CDATA[REVIEWS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Album Review]]></category> <category><![CDATA[LP]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Melted Toys]]></category> <category><![CDATA[psych pop]]></category> <category><![CDATA[synth pop]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.poppressinternational.com/?p=15902</guid> <description><![CDATA[The psychedelic-pop wake is currently making its second resurgence in the music scene with a vengeance, and it shows no sign of losing momentum. New bands are constantly emerging to join the in-crowd...]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/melted-toys-melted-toys.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-15903" src="http://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/melted-toys-melted-toys-150x150.jpg" alt="ATOZ_12in_WIDESPINE" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/melted-toys-melted-toys-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/melted-toys-melted-toys-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/melted-toys-melted-toys-120x120.jpg 120w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/melted-toys-melted-toys-50x50.jpg 50w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/melted-toys-melted-toys.jpg 320w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></a>The psychedelic-pop wake is currently making its second resurgence in the music scene with a vengeance, and it shows no sign of losing momentum. New bands are constantly emerging to join the in-crowd of synthesizers, airy vocals and blissed-out electronica. Melted Toys certainly runs in this circle, but this band lost its amateur status back in 2011 with their debut release, <em>Washed & Dried</em>. The EP drew positive attention, but here we are three years later when they’ve finally decided to grace us with their presence again for a self-titled full-length. If Melted Toys were a clique in school, they would be the kids that smoked weed behind the field house during study hall while still managing to make straight A’s—talented slackers. Partial blame for the three year hiatus fits right into the “talented slacker theory” as the band’s initial early work was lost when a laptop was left on a commuter train in their hometown of San Francisco. A fashionably late entrance is way cooler than being on time, so one could argue that these dudes are right on track.</p> <p>Many have compared Melted Toys to the 80’s British cult favorite, Felt. The comparison is a fair one as the band draws heavily from Felt’s minimalistic guitar riffs, limited vocals, and an abundance of generally mellow vibes. This time around, Melted Toys does a nice job of staying true to their original sound while adding in new and experimental material. From the opening, <em>Intro</em> remains sans vocals albeit until the final twenty seconds when an indistinguishable audio clip is mixed over the synthesizer to conclude the song. Similarly, the album’s single, <em>Blush</em> opens with the sounds of children playing in a school yard and closes with the faint ringing of church bells. Rusty Santos (Panda Bear of Animal Collective) mixed the album and is more than likely responsible or at the very least, influential for this evolution. Compared to their debut record, the group does a respectable job layering their instruments, vocals, and electronics to transition into a more mature sound.</p> <p>Melted Toys doesn’t excel with discernable lyrics. But that’s not really what’s on trial here. Most of the lyrics lie hidden within indistinguishable fragile wisps, but precision instrumentation is found elsewhere—from the percussion of Ole Haarstad to Daniel Rasado’s fluid guitar renditions. The appeal of Melted Toys is certainly its mood. It’s an album that begs to be played in chill-zones only. “A Postcard” shows up about halfway through the album and deserves the most attention. There’s a slightly more aggressive approach which helps to shed the last drop of melancholic pop and therefore conveys the most maturity. It’s from here that hopefully this quartet will continue to develop.</p> <p>The trend of today tends to follow that of yesterday– films are more often than not remakes of an old classic; Fashion statements now come in the form of thrift store finds, and musicians are calling upon their forefathers to channel a resurrection of sound. But rather than sigh at the lack of originality, perhaps we should bask in the feelings of warm nostalgia with the rebirth of a period long since passed. A copy paste image is plagiarism, but imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. And it’s the latter that gives Melted Toys a respectable balance of vintage meets modern.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Album Review: White Reaper – White Reaper</title> <link>https://www.poppressinternational.com/2014/06/12/album-review-white-reaper-white-reaper/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laney Renee]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 12 Jun 2014 16:23:11 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[REVIEWS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[garage rock]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Louisville]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Polyvinyl Records]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Punk]]></category> <category><![CDATA[White Reaper]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.poppressinternational.com/?p=15239</guid> <description><![CDATA[Louisville, Kentucky’s latest band spawn doesn’t carry the slightest whiff of bluegrass or the faintest whisper of country charm. White Reaper leaves the acoustic ramblings in the dust with their self-titled debut EP...]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/white_reaper_st.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-15240" src="http://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/white_reaper_st-150x150.jpg" alt="white_reaper_st" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/white_reaper_st-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/white_reaper_st-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/white_reaper_st-120x120.jpg 120w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/white_reaper_st-50x50.jpg 50w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/white_reaper_st.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></a>Louisville, Kentucky’s latest band spawn doesn’t carry the slightest whiff of bluegrass or the faintest whisper of country charm. White Reaper leaves the acoustic ramblings in the dust with their self-titled debut EP via Polyvinyl Records. The trio is comprised of Tony Esposito on vocals/guitar and double your pleasure, double your fun twin brothers, Nick (drums) and Sam (bass) Wilkerson. The group’s sound falls somewhere on the spectrum between your older brother’s garage punk band and an underground grungy club cranking out at 2am. I cite neither as disrespect to these punk revivalists, as both sound cool as hell to me.</p> <p>Each track recording is less than perfection, but aesthetic dissonance works for a group who finds accomplishment in the form of decibels and tinnitus. Often enough, the drums, guitar, bass, and vocals come together to form the brain-melting phenomenon that is garage punk, but these boys have a keen sense of timing—just at the brink of your ear drum bursting, they switch out the noise for the melodic harmony of the keyboard, even a tambourine. White Reaper does a seamless job blending punk and surf rock together. The transition is always gradual with some songs more heavily influenced by one genre than the other. Esposito laments in simplistic styles and doesn’t bog down any song with catchy hooks that you’ll find yourself singing in the shower. Instead he keeps the lyrics as modest as the track titles (Case in point<i>: “Cool</i>,” “<i>Funn</i>,” and “<i>Ohh (Yeah)”</i>). Any lyrics that do tend to stick around will most certainly be from the final track<i>, “Ohh (Yeah)</i>.” But don’t get too attached as they’ll surely be rattled loose when you back it up and thrash to “<i>She Wants To” </i>and<i> “Conspirator</i>.” Honestly, why try to scream during a hurricane?</p> <p>Top three songs kick off the EP as “<i>Cool</i>,” <i>Funn</i>,” and “<i>Half Bad</i>.” Esposito breaks out a short lived, but badass riff about a minute into <i>Cool</i> which lives up to its track title name. Listening to “Conspirator,” even from my laptop on the comfort of my couch, it’s hard not to be transported into crowd of head banging misfits shoulder to shoulder in a dimly lit basement club with t-shirts drenched in so much sweat you could ring them out. “<i>Ohh (Yeah)”</i> rounds out the album as a tune that finishes much like the album started. These bookends feel more like a summer road trip cruising in a topless Jeep than a bruised mosh pit soaked in PBR and perspiration.</p> <p>There’s a fine line between outdated and revitalized. Taking a classic concept and adding a modern edge is what this young culture of garage rockers are busting out. As boisterous and erratic as White Reaper’s approach, they never sound threatening; much like the name of their group—slightly menacing but without the dark edge. There’s a time and place for White Reaper. That time is anytime you’re feeling like a badass. Whether you’re slipping on some board shorts or zipping up your leather jacket, these tunes will surely compliment your renegade summer.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Album Review: Popstrangers – Fortuna</title> <link>https://www.poppressinternational.com/2014/05/19/album-review-popstrangers-fortuna/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laney Renee]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 19 May 2014 18:10:28 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[REVIEWS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Album Reviews]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Carpark Records]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fortuna]]></category> <category><![CDATA[indie pop]]></category> <category><![CDATA[indie rock]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Popstrangers]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.poppressinternational.com/?p=14567</guid> <description><![CDATA[New Zealand band Popstrangers’ new album, Fortuna, the band’s sophomore follow up to Antipodes is out now on Carpark Records. Because of or despite a certain degree of chaos that can be found...]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/popstrangers-fortuna.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-14568" src="http://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/popstrangers-fortuna-150x150.jpg" alt="version2" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/popstrangers-fortuna-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/popstrangers-fortuna-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/popstrangers-fortuna-120x120.jpg 120w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/popstrangers-fortuna-50x50.jpg 50w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/popstrangers-fortuna.jpg 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></a>New Zealand band Popstrangers’ new album, <i>Fortuna</i>, the band’s sophomore follow up to <i>Antipodes </i>is out now on Carpark Records. Because of or despite a certain degree of chaos that can be found within these tracks, which were recorded hastily in under a week, the album retains an edgy cohesiveness in its disarray.</p> <p>The chorus of standout track “Country Kills,” spews an angst-filled energy that the forefathers of grunge rock would respect as Joel Flyger sings, “Oh my country will kill me now, whatever.” In a schizophrenic fashion, the disposition of the tracks change abruptly. The ironically named song, “Don’t Be Afraid<i>“</i> queues up like a scene from a scary movie. The opening riff is discordant and echoed with light audio feedback, like the sound of skipping vinyl. Initially, this tune may trigger the hair on the back of your neck to prickle, but lighter chords melt in quickly. It goes without saying, that this track doesn’t have the catchy rhythm and harmonies of a pop song, but you’ll find yourself dimming the lights and wanting to listen to it over and over again, craving the haunting distortion of hazy vocals.</p> <p>Melodies, noises, and vocals drift out of range as quickly as they’re introduced throughout this capricious album. There’s an intimidation to the majority of the songs without being overly boisterousness. Influences of 80’s punk rock from Sonic Youth and Joy Division are imbedded deeply throughout each track, which lend a hand to the heavy sound<i>. </i>However, before listening to even one song, the album embraces the music and style of the 80’s. An androgynous human with protruding cheek bones and sporting a feathered blonde mullet of bleached perfection with upswept and angled brows graces the album cover, recalling the infamous Labyrinth David Bowie motif. Conceivably, this may not scream Goblin King to everyone, but in the very least it does draw from an 80’s creativity outlet.</p> <p>Flyger was quoted previously during an interview for their debut album release, <i>Antipodes</i> saying, “Maybe [Popstrangers is] too young to have a certain style or a sound. It’s fun to keep exploring.” Perhaps unintentional, but nevertheless this attitude ties in directly with their current titled project. <i>Fortuna </i>is the Roman goddess of fate, representing the unpredictability and irregularities of life. As the trio continues to discover the splitting and converging avenues of their musical talents, here’s hoping all roads lead to success for Popstrangers.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Album Review: Papercuts – Life Among the Savages</title> <link>https://www.poppressinternational.com/2014/05/06/album-review-papercuts-life-among-the-savages/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laney Renee]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 06 May 2014 19:14:10 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[REVIEWS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[indie pop]]></category> <category><![CDATA[indie rock]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Life Among the Savages]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Papercuts]]></category> <category><![CDATA[somber rock]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.poppressinternational.com/?p=14156</guid> <description><![CDATA[When a band takes a three year hiatus in between albums, it’s usually a fair assumption that they’ve been working not only on new music, but a reinvention or transformation from what they...]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/papercuts-life-among-the-savages.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-14157" src="http://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/papercuts-life-among-the-savages-150x150.jpg" alt="papercuts-life-among-the-savages" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/papercuts-life-among-the-savages-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/papercuts-life-among-the-savages-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/papercuts-life-among-the-savages-120x120.jpg 120w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/papercuts-life-among-the-savages-50x50.jpg 50w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/papercuts-life-among-the-savages.jpg 460w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></a>When a band takes a three year hiatus in between albums, it’s usually a fair assumption that they’ve been working not only on new music, but a reinvention or transformation from what they once were. This is just the case for Papercuts recent album release, <em>Life Among The Savages</em>. The tracks don’t differ so drastically from the past four Papercuts albums that the connection is unclear, but the development and maturity of this album is the most concise and mature to date. Fundamentally, the songwriting sill centers on Jason Robert Quever once again pulling all the strings (literally and figuratively) for this album, as he wrote, played, recorded, and produced, and arranged it—all out of his own home studio in San Francisco, CA.</p> <p>A papercut, in the most literal sense, is a wound that is just barely there but delivers a painful and lingering hurt that can’t be ignored. This truly is the best name for Quever’s creations. Whispered pop that doesn’t deliver as a slap in the face, but rather it emits a heavy ambience of melancholy swell that still manages to loiter and monopolize your attention. Quever sings most delicately as he delivers heavy topics with track titles such as <em>Afterlife Blues</em>. There’s not one song on the album that strays too far from the herd. Individual tracks work toward a collaborative whole, as each song delivers the same somber energy as the next. But the title track takes the cake out of the entire nine track playlist—pulsating strings lead into a soft ballad which was executed with the help of Baltimore brethren Alex Scally of Beach House. Halfway through the album, I discovered an obvious homage to The Velvet Underground in the track, <em>Family Portrait</em>. Other influences seem to stem from the same creative mindset—psychedelic and dreaming pop like The Byrds, Galaxie 500, and Sonic Youth.</p> <p><em>Life Among The Savages </em>is an album where the songs bleed into one another from beginning to end. Attempting to listen to one song as a time builds a musical house of cards—one song simply isn’t as strong as the other. I couldn’t really appreciate the album for all it was worth until I allowed each song to complement the next. There’s a constant echo that reverberates from beginning to end that keeps the songs moving, like a story. When one aspect is removed, the story loses momentum and meaning. This isn’t to say that listening to a single four minute tune has no merit, but if time is on your side, I recommend letting this album play out in its entirety to appreciate all Quever, and Papercuts, has to offer.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Album Review: Nat Baldwin – In the Hollows</title> <link>https://www.poppressinternational.com/2014/04/29/album-review-nat-baldwin-in-the-hollows/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laney Renee]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:49:52 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[REVIEWS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[bass]]></category> <category><![CDATA[chamber pop]]></category> <category><![CDATA[classical]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dirty Projectors]]></category> <category><![CDATA[jass]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Nat Baldwin]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Pop]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Western Vinyl]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.poppressinternational.com/?p=13935</guid> <description><![CDATA[Nat Baldwin’s upcoming release, In the Hollows, is an avant-garde approach to the man meets acoustic tradition. The album remains saturated with emotional depth, but instead of concentrating all his sound into one...]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Nat-Baldwin-In-The-Hollows.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-13936" src="http://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Nat-Baldwin-In-The-Hollows-150x150.jpg" alt="Nat-Baldwin-In-The-Hollows" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Nat-Baldwin-In-The-Hollows-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Nat-Baldwin-In-The-Hollows-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Nat-Baldwin-In-The-Hollows-120x120.jpg 120w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Nat-Baldwin-In-The-Hollows-50x50.jpg 50w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Nat-Baldwin-In-The-Hollows.jpg 350w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></a>Nat Baldwin’s upcoming release, <em>In the Hollows</em>, is an avant-garde approach to the man meets acoustic tradition. The album remains saturated with emotional depth, but instead of concentrating all his sound into one genre, Baldwin encompasses many, creating a musical fusion that settles in perfect agreement. Jazz, contemporary, classical, progressive pop—there’s a homeostasis that Baldwin reaches as he brings them all together. Baldwin plays string bass and pulls his classical origins from studying under famed jazz musician Anthony Braxton. <em>In the Hollows</em> is the fourth solo EP project for Baldwin and a follow-up effort to his well-received 2011 album, <em>People Changes</em>. In the interim, Baldwin has stayed quite busy. He remains bassist for The Dirty Projectors and has worked in conjunction with various artists including Vampire Weekend.</p> <p>Baldwin’s vocal approach is similar to his musical co-conspirator David Longstreth of The Dirty Projectors, but credit could be extended a step further to Jeff Buckley, who shares exceptional vocal range and frequented falsetto pitch. The accompanying instrumention of the album could easily be excluded and the a cappella that remains is a beautifully harmonized piece of music that could stand strongly on its own. Baldwin’s vocals are controlled and performed just as precisely as the bow on his strings. There are points when the lyrics fade into the mix, and the strings are so reflective and complementary that the two become indistinguishable.</p> <p>You don’t have to rely on the music to pick up on the tone Baldwin has set for his album, as the track titles serve as strong indicators<em>. Wasted</em>, <em>Half My Life</em>, <em>Bored to Death</em>, <em>A Good Day To Die</em> all seem to fit the same aesthetic that the music delivers. Title track <em>In the Hollows</em> and <em>Cosmos Pose</em> are as close to pop as Baldwin ventures. They both are set to quicker pace than any of the seven songs. <em>The End of the Night</em> is a raw and brave presentation of Baldwin and his vocal ability. Only the occasional string plucking for accompaniment, he presents himself in complete simplicity. <em>Half My Life</em> and the title track stand out as two of the record’s best and follow one another in track order.</p> <p>This album was made to embody the mundane, melancholy days of gloom when your eyes get misty and your heart aches thinking of someone or someplace. These tunes are meant to act as the soundtrack to your life when internal contemplation and soul searching are most prevalent. It is a record that exists for those times that seem to exist between anything at all, some vacant yet beautiful nowhere land <em>in the hollows</em>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Album Review: Temples – Sun Structures</title> <link>https://www.poppressinternational.com/2014/04/18/album-review-temples-sun-structures/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laney Renee]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 18 Apr 2014 13:19:03 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[REVIEWS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Album Reviews]]></category> <category><![CDATA[psych rock]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sun Structures]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Temples]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.poppressinternational.com/?p=13611</guid> <description><![CDATA[Did LSD bring out more music or did the music bring about more LSD? With Foxygen, Tame Impala, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Melody’s Echo Chamber and a slew of other similarly grounded groups on...]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/temples-sun-structures.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-13612" alt="temples-sun-structures" src="http://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/temples-sun-structures-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/temples-sun-structures-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/temples-sun-structures-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/temples-sun-structures-120x120.jpg 120w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/temples-sun-structures-50x50.jpg 50w, https://www.poppressinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/temples-sun-structures.jpg 400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></a>Did LSD bring out more music or did the music bring about more LSD? With Foxygen, Tame Impala, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Melody’s Echo Chamber and a slew of other similarly grounded groups on the rise, it’s arguable that the second go-round of psych-pop could be sobering up without losing any of its influential edge. <i>Sun Structures</i>, the premier album release of UK quartet Temples, aids in this revival</p> <p>“Shelter Song” serves as the albums single with good reason—it’s built on a steady rock hi-hat and snare combo, and you find yourself singing along with both the call and response of the lead and backup vocals throughout. If you want the full consciousness expansion experience however, “The Golden Throne” and “Mesmerise” have a multifaceted delivery that will help you conjure your inner Timothy Leary.</p> <p>Temples does an unbelievable job carrying on the psych-pop torch. The execution of every layered sound is impeccable. Their visual performance is equally as complimentary to the past. Each member sports a shaggy haircut and vintage attire they surely acquired from their parent’s attic. Temples does a lot of looking back on “Sun Structures,” which is ultimately a spot on reenactment of a genre that’s been already mastered. Each song sounds like it pays homage to a different 60’s icon– The Electric Prunes; The Byrds; The 13<sup>th</sup> Floor Elevators; Marc Bolan. In this way, “Sun Structures” shows that Temples still has room to grow. With a young band like this, future records will bear out whether or not the band will come into their own more fully and find a distinctiveness that sets them apart from their predecessors.</p> <p>Oasis front man Noel Gallagher used his clout to push this group to the front lines of the rock scene calling them “the best new band in Britain.” Temples may be a new band, but they’re certainly not a new sound. I’m hoping such high praise will instill a confidence that enables the group to allow their own sound and creativity to flourish on future compilations.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> </channel> </rss>